The thing passed so close to the Slayer that it managed to drool on her, and the sword grazed its lower chest, but the scaled flesh there served as ample protection. Marius hit the sand with the force of a Volkswagon Beetle being dropped from a great height, landing in an untidy, snarling heap before righting its distorted body. Mangled ears flattened further against a malformed skull as it measured up its enemy for the next attack.
Despite its animal nature, it understood weapons, knew they were dangerous, and it began to circle to the right, the silvery light from above throwing its shadow in sharp relief across the white sand. But the sword was merely a tool, like a ruler or a coat against the cold. If the wolf-thing got close enough, it could crush the girl to death solely with its weight.
Jaws opened, and the monstrosity snapped at the Slayer's closest leg, intending to rip it off above the knee. Live meat was something it hadn't tasted in a while....